NASA, EPA Escape Liability for Pasadena Water Well Contamination

The City of Pasadena, Calif. can’t bring state or federal tort claims against the federal government for hazardous contamination of two of the municipality’s drinking water wells by the NASA-affiliated Jet Propulsion Lab after a federal judge said agencies maintain discretion for how cleanup proceeds.

The US District Court for the District of Central California on Wednesday dismissed Pasadena’s counterclaims brought against the Environmental Protection Agency and NASA as part of a broader dispute under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act initially brought by the California Institute of Technology.

Judge André Birotte Jr. ruled the city failed to ...